is acquainted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is acquainted with' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's knowledge or familiarity of a person or thing. Example: She is acquainted with many of the area's popular tourist attractions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fumerton (1995: 75) replies that while acquaintance itself is nonpropositional, that does not rule out that propositions or thoughts are objects of acquaintance or constituents of objects of acquaintance, and if one is acquainted with a relation of correspondence between a thought and a fact, that would seem to provide all the justification one could need or want.

SEP

Indeed, as we have seen, some acquaintance theorists hold that one is acquainted with or directly aware of all intrinsic sensory or phenomenal features of one's experience, including specific shades of color.

SEP

First, it no longer seems that Russell and Price's criterion that is reminiscent of the method of doubt is a very good method for determining what one is acquainted with, for there will be some objects of acquaintance that are susceptible to some degree of doubt.

SEP

This worry is sometimes put in terms of acquaintance: the specific way in which the thinker is acquainted with the referent of her thought in using phenomenal concepts does not seem to be captured by the demonstrative account (see Levine 2007).

SEP

Johnson is acquainted with cancer – it killed both his wife and Brilleaux.

Independent

She is acquainted with her only because of an anatomy class.

The New York Times

He is acquainted with the other regional realists with whom he is grouped.

The Guardian

Paul Raeburn's most recent book is Acquainted with the Night, a memoir of raising children with depression and bipolar disorder.

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Strasberg, 43, is acquainted with MDC because he worked at Crispin Porter & Bogusky before joining Doner in 2008.

The New York Times

He's noticing something in Jim's own character that is acquainted with vice, with greed, with the idea of being fallen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As for Mr. Gore, any legislator or federal policy official is acquainted with a range of issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To achieve clarity, follow up with specific examples that showcase the subject's relationship with the topic, concept, or person in question.

Common error

Avoid using "is acquainted with" if the person or subject only has a superficial understanding. Instead, opt for phrases like "is aware of" or "has heard of" to accurately reflect the level of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is acquainted with" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject's state of familiarity or knowledge. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts. It signifies that someone has a certain level of awareness or understanding of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is acquainted with" is a versatile phrase used to indicate familiarity or knowledge, as validated by Ludwig's extensive examples. It typically functions as a predicate adjective, conveying that a subject has some level of awareness or understanding. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to use it appropriately, ensuring that the level of acquaintance matches the context. The phrase finds frequent usage in news, science, and academic sources, lending it a neutral to formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is familiar with

This alternative directly replaces "acquainted" with "familiar", indicating a close semantic similarity with minor variations in formality.

has knowledge of

This alternative uses a more formal structure, replacing the adjectival phrase with a verb and noun indicating possession of information.

is conversant with

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for "acquainted", suggesting a deeper level of familiarity and expertise.

is versed in

This phrase suggests proficient knowledge and experience in a particular area.

is no stranger to

This idiom implies a level of experience or familiarity, often with something challenging or negative.

is aware of

This alternative indicates a basic understanding or knowledge of something, which might be less detailed than being "acquainted with".

has experience with

This option emphasizes practical involvement and knowledge gained through direct participation.

is informed about

This phrase focuses on receiving information, implying a more passive role compared to active acquaintance.

is well-informed about

This alternative suggests a comprehensive understanding based on substantial information.

has a working knowledge of

This phrase implies practical competence and familiarity sufficient for effective use or application.

FAQs

How can I use "is acquainted with" in a sentence?

You can use "is acquainted with" to indicate someone's familiarity or knowledge of a person, place, or thing. For example, "She "is acquainted with" many of the local artists".

What are some alternatives to "is acquainted with"?

Alternatives include "is familiar with", "has knowledge of", or "is conversant with", depending on the context and the level of familiarity you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "is acquainted with" or "is familiar with"?

"Is acquainted with" is generally considered more formal than "is familiar with". The choice depends on the intended tone and audience.

What is the difference between "is acquainted with" and "is aware of"?

"Is acquainted with" suggests a deeper level of familiarity and possibly some experience, whereas "is aware of" simply implies knowledge of something's existence or presence.